Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a locator service

• US 20060136124A1
• Filed: 12/22/2004
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Adamczyk, Maria, Silver, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,289,903 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/127 to a central station ; Indicators in a central station

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer program products for implementing a locator service. The method includes receiving object identification information from a mobile object and receiving location identification information from the mobile object. The location identification information indicates the presence of the mobile object at a location. The method also includes associating the object identification information with the location identification information and creating an occupancy record including results of the associating. The method further includes storing the occupancy record in a storage device.

Claims

1. A method for implementing a locator service, comprising:

receiving object identification information from a mobile object;

receiving location identification information from the mobile object, the location identification information indicating the presence of the mobile object at a location;

associating the object identification information with the location identification information and creating an occupancy record including results of the associating; and

storing the occupancy record in a storage device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the object identification information includes at least one of:

an operator of the mobile object;

an identification associated with the operator; and

a description of the mobile object.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile object includes a vehicle, and the location is a parking space.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the location identification information is conveyed to the mobile object via a radio frequency identifier associated with the location.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to locate the mobile object, the request including at least a portion of the objection identification information;

retrieving the occupancy record; and

presenting the location identification information.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

tracking an amount of time the mobile object occupies the location;

associating the amount of time with an occupancy fee; and

implementing payment services for the occupancy based upon the amount of time.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the location identification information is transmitted by the mobile object via a wireless network.

8. A system for implementing a locator service, comprising:

a processor executing a locator application; and

a storage device in communication with the processor, the storage device housing occupancy records generated via the locator application, the locator application performing;

receiving object identification information from a mobile object;

receiving location identification information from the mobile object, the location identification information indicating the presence of the mobile object at a location;

associating the object identification information with the location identification information and creating an occupancy record including results of the associating; and

storing the occupancy record in the storage device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the object identification information includes at least one of:

an operator of the mobile object;

an identification associated with the operator; and

a description of the mobile object.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the mobile object includes a vehicle, and the location is a parking space.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the location identification information is conveyed to the mobile object via a radio frequency identifier associated with the location.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the locator application further performs:

receiving a request to locate the mobile object, the request including at least a portion of the objection identification information;

retrieving the occupancy record; and

presenting the location identification information.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the locator application further performs:

tracking an amount of time the mobile object occupies the location;

associating the amount of time with an occupancy fee; and

implementing payment services for the occupancy based upon the amount of time.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the location identification information is transmitted by the mobile object via a wireless network.

15. A computer program product for implementing locator services, the computer program product including instructions for performing:

receiving object identification information from a mobile object;

receiving location identification information from the mobile object, the location identification information indicating the presence of the mobile object at a location;

associating the object identification information with the location identification information and creating an occupancy record including results of the associating; and

storing the occupancy record in a storage device.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the object identification information includes at least one of:

an operator of the mobile object;

an identification associated with the operator; and

a description of the mobile object.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the mobile object includes a vehicle, and the location is a parking space.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the location identification information is conveyed to the mobile object via a radio frequency identification associated with the location.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising instructions for performing:

receiving a request to locate the mobile object, the request including at least a portion of the objection identification information;

retrieving the occupancy record; and

presenting the location identification information.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the location identification information is transmitted by the mobile object via a wireless network.